EP0192379A2 - Dispositifs de réduction du bruit - Google Patents

Dispositifs de réduction du bruit Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0192379A2
EP0192379A2 EP86300791A EP86300791A EP0192379A2 EP 0192379 A2 EP0192379 A2 EP 0192379A2 EP 86300791 A EP86300791 A EP 86300791A EP 86300791 A EP86300791 A EP 86300791A EP 0192379 A2 EP0192379 A2 EP 0192379A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
noise
ear
transducer
noise reduction
earphone
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP86300791A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0192379B1 (fr
EP0192379A3 (en
Inventor
Robert Christopher Twiney
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
BAE Systems Defence Systems Ltd
Original Assignee
Plessey Overseas Ltd
Siemens Plessey Electronic Systems Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Plessey Overseas Ltd, Siemens Plessey Electronic Systems Ltd filed Critical Plessey Overseas Ltd
Priority to AT86300791T priority Critical patent/ATE71761T1/de
Publication of EP0192379A2 publication Critical patent/EP0192379A2/fr
Publication of EP0192379A3 publication Critical patent/EP0192379A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0192379B1 publication Critical patent/EP0192379B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G10MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10KSOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/16Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/175Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound
    • G10K11/178Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase
    • G10K11/1787General system configurations
    • G10K11/17875General system configurations using an error signal without a reference signal, e.g. pure feedback
    • GPHYSICS
    • G10MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10KSOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/16Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/175Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound
    • G10K11/178Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase
    • G10K11/1781Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase characterised by the analysis of input or output signals, e.g. frequency range, modes, transfer functions
    • G10K11/17821Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase characterised by the analysis of input or output signals, e.g. frequency range, modes, transfer functions characterised by the analysis of the input signals only
    • G10K11/17825Error signals
    • GPHYSICS
    • G10MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10KSOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/16Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/175Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound
    • G10K11/178Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase
    • G10K11/1785Methods, e.g. algorithms; Devices
    • G10K11/17857Geometric disposition, e.g. placement of microphones
    • GPHYSICS
    • G10MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10KSOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K2210/00Details of active noise control [ANC] covered by G10K11/178 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • G10K2210/10Applications
    • G10K2210/108Communication systems, e.g. where useful sound is kept and noise is cancelled
    • GPHYSICS
    • G10MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10KSOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K2210/00Details of active noise control [ANC] covered by G10K11/178 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • G10K2210/10Applications
    • G10K2210/108Communication systems, e.g. where useful sound is kept and noise is cancelled
    • G10K2210/1081Earphones, e.g. for telephones, ear protectors or headsets
    • GPHYSICS
    • G10MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10KSOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K2210/00Details of active noise control [ANC] covered by G10K11/178 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • G10K2210/30Means
    • G10K2210/301Computational
    • G10K2210/3013Analogue, i.e. using analogue computers or circuits
    • GPHYSICS
    • G10MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10KSOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K2210/00Details of active noise control [ANC] covered by G10K11/178 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • G10K2210/30Means
    • G10K2210/321Physical
    • G10K2210/3218Filters other than the algorithm-related filters

Definitions

  • This invention relates to arrangements for reducing the level of acoustic noise fields within the internal cavities or enclosures of so-called ear defenders or earphone structures when being worn by personnel (e.g. pilots, vehicle drivers, industrial workers etc.) in high noise environments.
  • personnel e.g. pilots, vehicle drivers, industrial workers etc.
  • noise pick-up microphones produce electrical signal outputs in response to the noise fields within the aforesaid cavities and these signal outputs are utilised in a feedback loop arrangement for the production of noise-cancelling signals fed to the noise-cancelling transducers which accordingly produce noise-cancelling acoustic signals of substantially the same amplitude but of opposite phase to the acoustic noise field waveform.
  • this feedback arrangement will only function effectively if linear operation of the transducers producing the noise-cancelling acoustic signal waveforms is maintained throughout operation of the arrangement.
  • the transducers must also be of small and lightweight construction, moving coil transducers typically being used at present for such active noise reduction arrangements.
  • the maximum linear sound output that can be produced by these small transducers for noise-cancellation purposes is necessarily limited by such matters as the moving surface area of the transducer diaphragm, the maximum deflection of the transducer diaphragm before the transducer becomes non-linear and the particular acoustics of the ear defender cavities or enclosures in which the transducers are operating.
  • the levels of noise occurring in some environments may be so high that the small noise-cancelling transducers referred to cannot generate sufficiently high level noise cancellation signals.
  • the transducers In attempting to cancel such high level noise the transducers may be overdriven into non-linear operation thereby resulting in a substantial drop in the active noise reduction produced by the ANR arrangement and also resulting in the generation of noise within the defender cavities due to distortion in the noise-cancelling outputs of the transducers when operating non-linearly.
  • the noise generated by the non-linear operation of the transducers will depend upon the form of the non-linearity but in general will be spread across the entire frequency range of operation of the arrangement. Moreover, under very high noise conditions there is the risk of the transducers suffering permanent damage.
  • ear defenders or earphone structures which when fitted over the ears of the wearer define front cavities in the region of the wearer's ears and which embody compliant cushions for the resilient mounting of the structures on the wearer's head, very large acoustic pressure levels of low frequency can be produced within the front cavities due to vibratory movement of the earphone structures relative to the head of the wearer as permitted by the compliant cushions.
  • the present invention is directed to active noise reduction arrangements of the general form hereinbefore described but which provide additional means for the avoidance or reduction of noise produced within the aforesaid front cavities of ear defenders or earphone structures due to vibratory movement of the earphones on the wearer's head permitted by the compliant material and/or of noise that would otherwise be generated by noise-cancelling transducers when overdriven into non-linear mode of operation to combat high level noise in high noise environments.
  • an active noise reduction arrangement comprising at least one ear defender or earphone structure which embodies a small noise pick-up microphone and associated noise-cancelling transducer, in which a front cavity defined between the structure and the ear of its wearer when the arrangement is in use is coupled to a further cavity and/or a source of low frequency noise-cancellation signals by means of low-pass acoustic filter means.
  • the acoustic filter means preferably comprises a flexible tube of relatively small cross-section.
  • a tubular low-pass filter may be arranged to transmit to the aforesaid front cavity low frequency noise-cancellation signals generated by a relatively large transducer in response to receiving low frequency noise signals which are phase-inverted after being derived from the pick-up microphone located within said front cavity, the large transducer being located externally of the earphone structure so as not to increase the weight or size thereof.
  • Electrical signals derived from the pick-up microphone in response to noise may be fed through phase inverter means and then through high and low-pass filters respectively to derive relatively high and low frequency phase inverted signals. These signals are then fed respectively to the aforesaid noise-cancelling transducer within the earphone structure and the relatively large separately located transducer coupled to the front ear cavity of the earphone structure by the tubular low-pass filter.
  • a tubular low-pass filter serves to interconnect the front cavity of the aforesaid ear defender or earphone structure of the active noise reduction arrangement with the corresponding front cavity of the ear defender or earphone of an active noise reduction arrangement associated with the user's other ear.
  • the effective doubling of the volume of the front cavity of each ear defender or earphone structure serves to reduce (i.e. halve) the peak sound pressure levels that may otherwise be developed in the earphones due to the vibratory movement of the latter permitted by the compliant cushions.
  • the tubular low frequency pass filter may produce similar results by alternatively being connected to some other external cavity of appropriate volume.
  • this shows one channel arrangement of a two channel active noise reduction system for the cancellation of noise signals in earphones.
  • the active noise reduction arrangement illustrated comprises a generally cup-shaped earphone structure 1, arranged to enclose the user's ear 2 as shown.
  • the rim 3 of the cup shaped earphone is cushioned against the side of the user'shead 4 by means of a compliant ring cushion 5.
  • the earphone structure 1 includes a small lightweight transducer 6 (e.g. moving coil transducer) and a small pick-up microphone 7. Electrical signals generated by the pick-up microphone 7 in response to noise entering the truncated generally hemispherical front air cavity 8 through the wall of the earphone structure 1 are inverted by means of a phase inverter 9, after which they are filtered by filter 10.
  • the full frequency spectrum of phase-inverted signals derived from the microphone 7 would then be fed to a noise-cancelling transducer, such as the transducer 6 in the present embodiment, which would produce noise cancellation acoustic signals for reducing the noise levels within the front ear cavity 8.
  • a noise-cancelling transducer such as the transducer 6 in the present embodiment
  • the noise cancellation signals fed to the transducer 6 could well cause the transducer to be overdriven into a non-linear mode of operation and itself caused to generate noise in the overdriven condition.
  • vibratory movement of the earphone structure 1 relative to the user's head 4 permitted by the compliant cushion ring 5 also sets up low frequency noise pressure levels within the front ear cavity 8.
  • the illustrated embodiment of the present invention introduces relatively high frequency and low frequency pass filters 11 and 12, respectively, in parallel branches of the output circuit of the filter 10.
  • the high frequency noise-cancelling signal output from filter 11 is fed to the transducer 6 which accordingly produces relatively high frequency noise-cancelling signals within the front cavity 8.
  • the relatively low frequency noise-cancellation output signals from the filter 12 are fed to a relatively large transducer (e.g. moving coil) 13.
  • This relatively large transducer 13 which is entirely separate from the earphone structure 1 and which may be located remotely therefrom, produces low frequency acoustic signals which are transmitted to the front ear cavity 8 of the earphone by means of a flexible tube 14 which acts as a low-pass filter.
  • the flexible tube 14 which defines a relatively low frequency acoustic transmission line having a cut-off frequency determined by the internal diameter of the tube 14 and the tube length allows the use of an external larger noise-cancelling transducer than would normally be possible within the earphone.
  • the relatively large transducer 13 can produce a much larger level of sound output before being overdriven into non-linearity with the aforesaid disadvantages.
  • the tube 14 introduces a constant time delay between the output from the transducer 13 and the user's ear 2, only a small phase difference is produced due to the low frequency and long wavelength of the signals concerned.
  • the relatively large transducer 13 may for example be mounted in the user's seat, as may also the other electronics equipment apart from the earphone itself, in those applications where the user (e.g. pilot, vehicle driver etc.) will normally be sitting when carrying out his particular functions. In cases where the user needs to be mobile the transducer 13 may form part of a-portable electronics pack or harness.
  • FIG. 2 of the drawings shows an alternative active noise reduction arrangement which effectively reduces the sound pressure levels which are produced by vibratory movements of the earphone structures 1 on the user's head, such movements being permitted by the compliant ring cushions 5.
  • the earphone structures 1 include small microphones 7, the outputs from which are phase-inverted and filtered by the inverters 9 and filters 10.
  • the entire output from the filter 10 is applied to the transducer 6 for the generation of noise-cancelling signals.
  • the two earphone front cavities 8 are interconnected by means of a flexible tube 15 having a small internal diameter so that the tube acts as a low-pass filter but isolates the two earphone front cavities 8 at high frequencies.
  • a flexible tube 15 having a small internal diameter so that the tube acts as a low-pass filter but isolates the two earphone front cavities 8 at high frequencies.
  • most of the sound energy is in the 5-10 Hz band.
  • the presence of the flexible tube 15 gives the front cavity 8 of the earphone an apparent doubling of volume so that for relative movement of just one earphone the peak sound pressure levels developed by the earphone concerned will be halved.
  • the flexible tube 15 need not interconnect the two earphone front cavities 8. Two such tubes could alternatively couple the respective earphone front cavities 8 to any convenient external enclosed volumes in order to increase the effective front cavity volumes of the earphones at low frequency.
  • the earphone front cavities may be interconnected by means of a flexible tube as shown in Figure 2 and then one or both of the front cavities 8 joined to an external low frequency transducer or transducers. If the flexible tube joining the two front cavities 8 were of sufficient internal diameter then at low frequencies the earphone front cavities could be treated as a single cavity and a single remote transducer could be used to provide low frequency noise reduction.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Soundproofing, Sound Blocking, And Sound Damping (AREA)
  • Diaphragms For Electromechanical Transducers (AREA)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)
  • Input Circuits Of Receivers And Coupling Of Receivers And Audio Equipment (AREA)
  • Treating Waste Gases (AREA)
  • Superconductors And Manufacturing Methods Therefor (AREA)
  • Vehicle Interior And Exterior Ornaments, Soundproofing, And Insulation (AREA)
EP86300791A 1985-02-21 1986-02-06 Dispositifs de réduction du bruit Expired - Lifetime EP0192379B1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT86300791T ATE71761T1 (de) 1985-02-21 1986-02-06 Laermverminderungsanordnungen.

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8504541 1985-02-21
GB858504541A GB8504541D0 (en) 1985-02-21 1985-02-21 Noise reduction arrangements

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0192379A2 true EP0192379A2 (fr) 1986-08-27
EP0192379A3 EP0192379A3 (en) 1987-06-03
EP0192379B1 EP0192379B1 (fr) 1992-01-15

Family

ID=10574888

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP86300791A Expired - Lifetime EP0192379B1 (fr) 1985-02-21 1986-02-06 Dispositifs de réduction du bruit

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0192379B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE71761T1 (fr)
DE (1) DE3683380D1 (fr)
GB (1) GB8504541D0 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE8910815U1 (de) * 1989-09-11 1989-11-23 Kind, Werner, 3006 Burgwedel Gehörschutzvorrichtung
WO1997002559A1 (fr) * 1995-07-03 1997-01-23 National Research Council Of Canada Systeme actif et numerique de reduction du bruit par amont
EP1074970A2 (fr) * 1995-07-03 2001-02-07 National Research Council Of Canada Système de contrôle actif du bruit à correction aval
WO2001067433A1 (fr) * 2000-03-07 2001-09-13 Central Research Laboratories Limited Procede permettant d'ameliorer l'audibilite d'un haut-parleur situe pres d'une oreille
EP2280557A1 (fr) * 2009-07-07 2011-02-02 Nxp B.V. Dispositif de microphone-haut-parleur

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1903794A1 (de) * 1969-01-25 1970-08-13 Instr Systems Gmbh Kopfhoerer
DE2601661A1 (de) * 1976-01-17 1977-07-21 Battelle Institut E V Vorrichtung zum persoenlichen schallschutz
FR2398425A1 (fr) * 1977-07-18 1979-02-16 Hehemann Guenter Casque stereophonique
DE2925134A1 (de) * 1979-06-22 1981-01-08 Sennheiser Electronic Gehoerschutzvorrichtung
DE3411494A1 (de) * 1984-03-28 1985-10-03 Axel 6000 Frankfurt Klopprogge Verfahren zur unterdrueckung von schall sowie schaltungsanordnung und schallschutzvorrichtung zur durchfuehrung des verfahrens

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1903794A1 (de) * 1969-01-25 1970-08-13 Instr Systems Gmbh Kopfhoerer
DE2601661A1 (de) * 1976-01-17 1977-07-21 Battelle Institut E V Vorrichtung zum persoenlichen schallschutz
FR2398425A1 (fr) * 1977-07-18 1979-02-16 Hehemann Guenter Casque stereophonique
DE2925134A1 (de) * 1979-06-22 1981-01-08 Sennheiser Electronic Gehoerschutzvorrichtung
DE3411494A1 (de) * 1984-03-28 1985-10-03 Axel 6000 Frankfurt Klopprogge Verfahren zur unterdrueckung von schall sowie schaltungsanordnung und schallschutzvorrichtung zur durchfuehrung des verfahrens

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE8910815U1 (de) * 1989-09-11 1989-11-23 Kind, Werner, 3006 Burgwedel Gehörschutzvorrichtung
WO1997002559A1 (fr) * 1995-07-03 1997-01-23 National Research Council Of Canada Systeme actif et numerique de reduction du bruit par amont
US5852667A (en) * 1995-07-03 1998-12-22 Pan; Jianhua Digital feed-forward active noise control system
EP1074970A2 (fr) * 1995-07-03 2001-02-07 National Research Council Of Canada Système de contrôle actif du bruit à correction aval
EP1074970A3 (fr) * 1995-07-03 2001-05-09 National Research Council Of Canada Système de contrôle actif du bruit à correction aval
WO2001067433A1 (fr) * 2000-03-07 2001-09-13 Central Research Laboratories Limited Procede permettant d'ameliorer l'audibilite d'un haut-parleur situe pres d'une oreille
GB2375916A (en) * 2000-03-07 2002-11-27 Central Research Lab Ltd A method of improving the audibility of sound from a loudspeaker located close to an ear
US7177433B2 (en) 2000-03-07 2007-02-13 Creative Technology Ltd Method of improving the audibility of sound from a loudspeaker located close to an ear
EP2280557A1 (fr) * 2009-07-07 2011-02-02 Nxp B.V. Dispositif de microphone-haut-parleur
EP2285135A1 (fr) * 2009-07-07 2011-02-16 Nxp B.V. Dispositif de microphone-haut-parleur comportant un filtre passe-bas

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0192379B1 (fr) 1992-01-15
DE3683380D1 (de) 1992-02-27
ATE71761T1 (de) 1992-02-15
EP0192379A3 (en) 1987-06-03
GB8504541D0 (en) 1985-03-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP2989843B2 (ja) アクティブ雑音減少システム
CA2021994C (fr) Casque a elimination du bruit
US8295503B2 (en) Noise reduction device and method thereof
KR100277527B1 (ko) 이중 요소 헤드폰
US9351064B2 (en) Wireless communications headset system employing a loop transmitter that fits around the pinna
EP0412902B1 (fr) Dispositif électro-acoustique pour des moyens auditifs avec suppression du bruit
US5001763A (en) Electroacoustic device for hearing needs including noise cancellation
JP5265373B2 (ja) ノイズ消去イヤホン
EP0081516B1 (fr) Procede et dispositif permettant de reduire les bruits repetitifs penetrant dans l'oreille
DE69116948D1 (de) Methode und Gerät zur Geräuschunterdrückung in Kopfhörern
EP0705471B1 (fr) Casque d'ecoute avec elimination active des bruits parasites a sensibilite reduite a la surcharge due aux tres basses frequences
US5524058A (en) Apparatus for performing noise cancellation in telephonic devices and headwear
JPH0847074A (ja) スープラオーラルヘッドホン
CN104301838A (zh) 噪声降低的耳机
GB2234882A (en) Noise reduction system
EP0195641A2 (fr) Dispositifs de réduction de bruit
GB2172769A (en) Ear defender
GB2172470A (en) Improvements relating to noise reduction arrangements
EP0192379B1 (fr) Dispositifs de réduction du bruit
GB2234881A (en) Noise reduction system
CN208806974U (zh) 一种智能手表及其扬声器
WO1994017513A1 (fr) Ecouteur pour casque a suppression active de bruit
JPS6096093A (ja) 電気音響変換器収納装置
SU1697798A1 (ru) Противошумные наушники
CN2328140Y (zh) 无冲击噪音之耳机

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI LU NL SE

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI LU NL SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19871126

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19900807

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: SIEMENS PLESSEY ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS LIMITED

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI LU NL SE

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 71761

Country of ref document: AT

Date of ref document: 19920215

Kind code of ref document: T

ITF It: translation for a ep patent filed

Owner name: ING. C. GREGORJ S.P.A.

REF Corresponds to:

Ref document number: 3683380

Country of ref document: DE

Date of ref document: 19920227

ET Fr: translation filed
PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed
EPTA Lu: last paid annual fee
EAL Se: european patent in force in sweden

Ref document number: 86300791.0

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: CD

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: IF02

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PFA

Owner name: BAE SYSTEMS (DEFENCE SYSTEMS) LIMITED

Free format text: SIEMENS PLESSEY ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS LIMITED#OAKCROFT ROAD#CHESSINGTON/SURREY (GB) -TRANSFER TO- BAE SYSTEMS (DEFENCE SYSTEMS) LIMITED#WARWICK HOUSE P O BOX 87 FARNBOROUGH AEROPSPACE CENTRE#FARNBOROUGH HAMPSHIRE GU14 6YU (GB)

NLT1 Nl: modifications of names registered in virtue of documents presented to the patent office pursuant to art. 16 a, paragraph 1

Owner name: BAE SYSTEMS (DEFENCE SYSTEMS) LIMITED

Owner name: BRITISH AEROSPACE DEFENCE SYSTEMS LIMITED

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: AT

Payment date: 20040108

Year of fee payment: 19

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20040112

Year of fee payment: 19

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20040115

Year of fee payment: 19

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20040116

Year of fee payment: 19

Ref country code: CH

Payment date: 20040116

Year of fee payment: 19

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Payment date: 20040118

Year of fee payment: 19

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Payment date: 20040119

Year of fee payment: 19

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Payment date: 20040120

Year of fee payment: 19

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Payment date: 20040216

Year of fee payment: 19

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: CD

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050206

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050206

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050206

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050207

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050228

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050228

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050228

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: *BAE SYSTEMS DEFENCE SYSTEMS LTD

Effective date: 20050228

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050901

Ref country code: DE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20050901

GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20050206

EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20051031

NLV4 Nl: lapsed or anulled due to non-payment of the annual fee

Effective date: 20050901

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: ST

Effective date: 20051031

BERE Be: lapsed

Owner name: *BAE SYSTEMS DEFENCE SYSTEMS LTD

Effective date: 20050228